Jake Fryer/Bud Shank Quintet – In Good Company – Capri Records

by | Jan 3, 2011 | Jazz CD Reviews | 0 comments

Jake Fryer/Bud Shank Quintet – In Good Company – Capri Records 74106-2  (rec. April 1, 2009) 64:10 ****:

(Jake Fryer –  alto sax; Bud Shank – alto sax; Mike Wofford – piano; Bob Magnusson – bass; Joe La Barbera – drums)

I have reviewed many Bud Shank CDs over the years and saw Bud play several times over the last 15-20 years of his life. He never failed to give his heart and soul, whether on a tender ballad or a barn burning bop number. The last time I saw Shank was in Los Angeles probably six months before his passing in 2009. In early 2009, we reviewed Fascinating Rhythm, released on Jazzed Media. I treasured his career-ending releases on Graham Carter’s label and felt saddened that I would hear no more new Bud Shank releases. To say that Bud left it all on the table all the way to the end of his life, as a consummate pro, is an understatement, even though he was on oxygen most of the time he was not playing.

Well now Bud has shocked me again from up in alto heaven. Capri Records is releasing In Good Company by Shank along with British alto saxist, Jake Fryer, who was a long time admirer of Bud. The rhythm section was Bud’s regular group of stalwart musicians, Mike Wofford, Bob Magnusson, and Joe La Barbera. In Good Company is largely a blowing session of three standards ( “Caravan”, “Almost Like Being in Love”, and “Speak Low”), along with six Jake Fryer penned compositions, including a tribute to Bud titled “Bopping With Bud.”

You might say, “Just another effort to posthumously release some old Shank material. So what?” I’d say to that statement you have no idea… Believe it or not, this session was recorded in San Diego, Ca. on April 1, 2009, the last full day before Bud Shank died! Bud was driven back to his home in Tucson the next day. Within a few hours he passed away.

His intonation and tone on this session is not prime Bud, but the fire and passion that epitomized Bud was still there. A warrior till the end… It is hard to imagine any craftsman on death’s door step being able to perform on limited oxygen, and leaving this earth doing what brought pleasure to both him and his legion of fans. What also must have been poignant beyond words is the effect that playing with Bud the day before his passing must have been for his regular rhythm section of Mike Wofford, Bob Magnusson, and Joe La Barbera.

“Caravan” opens with a bass solo by Magnusson, followed by some emotional blowing by Bud on a track that he has played probably hundreds of time before and now for the final time. Jake Fryer follows later with his solo and Wofford has a sparkling piano solo.

Bud does honors on Fryer’s tribute, “Bopping with Bud.” Here he sounds as strong as on any track on CD. Bud was a bopper at heart and though he may be remembered more as a “cool” West Coast sax and flute player, Bud would likely tell you that playing bop was more his true nature – at least in last thirty years of his life.

“Agnieszka” written for Jake Fryer’s wife, finds Bud and Fryer trading solos while Wofford and La Barbera shine in the background. “Time Lord” was written for Joe La Barbera’s drumming prowess and Joe does not disappoint. Neither does Mike Wofford, whose right hand glides over the keyboard deftly.

The title track features Fryer, and he shows he belongs with this esteemed company. “Speak Low” ends our absolute last chronological visit with Bud. It’s a track I never tire of hearing, whether it be played as a piano trio with the recently deceased jazz legend, Hank Jones, or as a bop number by Bud Shank, or for me, the newly discovered Jake Fryer. Fryer’s bop chops here show Bud’s influence. We’re in good company.

RIP, Bud Shank, thanks for all the good times, and for the passion you brought to the music we love so much…

TrackList: Caravan, Bopping with Bud, Agnieszka, Tip Top and Tickety Boo, Breaking Loose, The Time Lord, Almost Like Being in Love, In Good Company, Speak Low.

— Jeff Krow

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